Trump Cancels Meeting With Putin as US, UK Back Ukraine in Wake of Russia’s Naval Attack

KYIV, Ukraine—Ukraine got a valuable boost Thursday from its Western allies when ambassadors from the U.S. and Britain both condemned Russia’s seizure of three Ukrainian navy vessels and pledged their countries would do more to build up Ukraine’s naval forces.

“We call on Russia to de-escalate the tension that Russia has created,” U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch said in a speech before a packed hall at the International Maritime Security Conference here in Ukraine’s capital.

In a pair of tweets hours later, citing the incident, President Donald Trump said he is canceling a scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Argentina.

….in Argentina with President Vladimir Putin. I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!

“I look forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!” Trump said in the tweet.

Judith Gough, the British ambassador to Ukraine, clearly denounced Russia for Sunday’s naval confrontation during her own remarks Thursday.

“We condemn Russian aggression in the Black Sea,” Gough said. “We’re absolutely clear that this is a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Russian ships fired on and captured the three Ukrainian navy vessels Sunday as they approached the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov. Russian forces reportedly took 24 Ukrainian crew members prisoner and already have tried some as criminals.